To
The Honourable Prime Minister of India,
Shri Narendra Modi,
South Block,
New Delhi
Dear Prime Minister,
We represent the unorganized construction workers, including the migrant workers of this country and had sent a representation from all over the country on 26.6.2020, to convey urgent concerns of survival and safety during the present lockdown and pandemic. Due to lack of response from you and the Labour Ministry we wish to bring to your immediate attention the following issues and suggest some remedies from trade unions and other organizations that have struggled for years to organise these exploited workers. Since the pandemic may persist for the next six months immediate solutions are required.
A major segment of the 50 crore unorganised workers are the 10 crore Building and Construction Workers, over a third of them women and children, who are homeless and have little access to health care and education. Worse, during the prolonged COVID 19 lockdown, they have had no work, income, lay off wages or other support from their employers. Many have had to walk back to their villages where too there is little employment available. There is starvation, inability to pay rent and indebtedness that is driving some of them to even commit suicide.
Sir, the Union Finance Minister had announced on March 27, 2020, that relief would be given to all Construction Workers from their own Social Security funds of Rs 31,000 crores lying with the Construction Workers Welfare Boards. Unfortunately, the amount to be given was not specified. The state governments have disbursed meagre amounts to a limited number of workers with live registration on the Boards. The vast majority have been left out while the Boards continue to sit on piles of Cess cash. This is leading to needless litigation and delays.
On the other hand, due to lack of funds in the Unorganised workers’ Welfare Boards, the unorganized workers including weavers, domestic workers, loaders, hairdressers, dhobis, potters, tailors, artisans, tribals and agricultural workers all over the country are struggling with poverty, indebtedness and starvation.
At a recent virtual meeting at the National level in which representatives from 12 states participated, we decided to put forward the following urgent demands to the government of India:
1) There was a unanimous view that Rs 5000 plus dry rations and Immunity promoting siddha and other medicines must be given to all Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) every month in all states, registered and unregistered, including those who may not have been able to renew their annual registrations.
2) Unorganised Sector Welfare Boards must provide Rs 5000 every month for Registered workers along with dry rations and Kabasura Kudineer and other medicines for immunity.
3) ESI must be implemented for BOCW and other Unorganised workers and Covid-19 must be declared as an Occupational Disease and adequate compensation and treatment must be provided.
4) The Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Fund is a dedicated Cess and must be used only for Social Security and Welfare of BOCW workers and not diverted to other purposes such as the revival of the economy.
5) The Migrant workers who went back to their home villages are unable to find employment and hence have no option but go back to other states for work. It was felt that a Rehabilitation Package must include land to landless and the number of workdays under MGNREGA must be increased to 200 days in a year for each worker (not each family) through individual Job Cards. They must be paid minimum wages on the basis of Pay Commission fixation for Class IV employees at Rs 600 per day.
6) It is indeed necessary to enhance the job opportunities in the villages and small towns so that the need for migration is reduced. Concerted efforts should be made in starting many small scale and village industries both as a joint venture with the Government and encouraging talented entrepreneurs.
7) Migrant workers who are going to other states must be compulsorily registered in the home states before departure and in destination states after arrival. Decent conditions of work including safety gear, 8 hrs of work and payment of double wage for overtime work, decent living conditions with drinking water, toilets, child care, health care and education facilities must be ensured. There must be Assistance Centres wherever they live in substantial numbers.
8) Urban unemployment, starvation, inability to pay rent, indebtedness, and even suicides are on the rise. Since the pandemic may continue for another 6 months it is important to introduce an Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme wherein the unemployed must be given Job cards. They can be involved in the home delivery of rations and cash relief apart from assisting families affected by COVID -19.
9) There must be Workers’ Committees in every ward, zone and city level to implement the above programmes.
10) The Government of India must withdraw the draft Labour Codes & Rules which seek to repeal 44 Labour Laws and dissolve the existing BOCW & USW Welfare Boards and trample on existing labour rights and protections in the country.
It was unanimously decided to observe DEMANDS DAY on 22nd July all over the country and to join all Trade Unions and AIl Farmers’ Coordination Committee on Aug 9 with the above Demands.
Sincerely
Vijaya Ramachandran
